Quotes of the day

posted at 8:01 pm on February 10, 2013 by Allahpundit

“This is a bad idea whose time has come,” former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a powerhouse fundraiser for Crossroads, said of the new organization, according to an email Monday to donors from Steven Law, head of the Crossroads groups and Conservative Victory Project.

Law outlined plans to essentially perform oppo research [on conservatives] and grade potential candidates on a variety of factors that might affect their ability to win a general election contest, including using fundraising reports “like earnings calls” to evaluate “the competitiveness of candidates.” And he signaled that Crossroads would mobilize other big-money groups in its network to help avert damaging primaries…

But Rove’s involvement in primaries could inflame opponents, predicted Matt Hoskins, executive director of the Senate Conservatives Fund PAC. “Their activities are going to actually have the opposite effect of what they’re trying to do,” he said. “It could actually make it easier for conservative candidates to win primaries.”…

“We discourage our people from supporting third-party candidates by saying ‘that’s a big mistake. We shouldn’t do that’,” [Tea Party Express founder Sal Russo] said. “But if the position [Rove’s allies] take is rule or ruin — well, two can play that game. And if we get pushed, we’re not going to be able to keep the lid on that.”

***

One high-profile Republican strategist, who refused to be named in order to avoid inflaming the very segments of the party he wants to silence, said there is a deliberate effort by party leaders to “marginalize the cranks, haters and bigots — there’s a lot of underbrush that has to be cleaned out.”…

So a political colonoscopy is going on before our eyes. Republican after Republican told us the party dodged a bullet with Mitt Romney’s loss: If he had squeaked in, this vital reboot would have been delayed four or eight years…

Stone said it’s wrong to alienate the conservative base. “These are the storm troops of the Republican Party,” he said, adding that tea party folks ring doorbells and hang signs for candidates. “Don’t offend them”

Stone said Republicans can find electable candidates who also appeal to tea party principles. But a group that divides a minority party, he added, “that’s like pre-meditated suicide. I’m not for a suicide PAC.”

***

Matt Kibbe of FreedomWorks openly scoffed at the notion that Rove’s network would be able to pick winners and losers. “The guys who fund groups like Rove’s want to re-establish that they’re in charge, but they just don’t understand the inevitable decentralization and democratization of politics,” said Kibbe. Club for Growth president Chris Chocola seconded that motion: “When you think about a Republican primary, and you think about a principled conservative versus a moderate Republican – well, our model wins more often.”

Rove’s apparent apathy toward the Tea Party has obviously generated antipathy for his views. As Mark Levin has pointed out, Rove recently bragged about spending some $30 million on Senate Tea Party candidates and $25 million on Tea Party House candidates — but American Crossroads reportedly spent some $400 million in the 2012 election cycle, meaning that only about $1 out of every $8 was spent on Tea Party candidates.

Paul pushed back Sunday on the notion that Rubio, or any other Republican, has been anointed as the “face” of the Republican Party, making the case that Republican lawmakers sometimes have different priorities.

“I don’t think anybody gets to choose who the face is, or say you or someone else is the face. I think we do the best to promote what we believe in,” Paul said, pointing to his own vocal opposition to sending U.S. foreign aid money to certain countries like Egypt and Pakistan.

Rove believes that candidates like O’Donnell gave away likely seats in Nevada, Colorado, Indiana, and Missouri during the last two election cycles. The GOP might control the Senate today if sharper candidates had prevailed.

This line of thinking outrages movement conservatives and Tea Party activists. They chalk up the defeats to the liberal media, which lampooned true conservatives by fixating on their minor missteps. By pledging to support more electable candidates, Rove is buying in to the frame that the media puts around true conservatives.

This theory may be reasonable or it may be poppycock. Either way, Rove’s detractors should thank him for bringing the debate into the open. Rove’s new effort is good for the Tea Party in the way that doubters are good for religions. No faith worthy of its Sunday parishioners crumbles under a challenge. Leaving aside whether Rove is really challenging the core of Tea Party beliefs, his efforts force those who hold a different view into being clearer about what they believe. Only if they go through that process can they make their case to Republicans who aren’t already true believers. Plus, if they can’t beat Karl Rove at the internal game, they’re not going to be able to beat the Democrats.

***

Back then, and even now, 41 years later, Rove was not a radical or what they called a “movement” conservative. He was a geeky outsider who longed for the power and money and connections that he thought would be available to him in politics in general and as a Nixon acolyte in particular. Nixon hated the country clubbers, but for social not philosophical reasons, and he drew to his side outsider operatives such as Rove with a lust for power…

Tea Partiers rightly ask what Rove and his rich-as-Croesus American Crossroads super PAC have gotten for conservatives or even the GOP. Rove is a master tactician, but not necessarily a great judge of political horseflesh. His taste tends to run to rich guys who can pay him a lot — which worked out well only in the case of W., and then only by skin of Justice Antonin Scalia’s (“get over it”) teeth…

Deep-dyed conservatives have a right to ask the Roves of the world what the establishment GOPers have done to erase the debt, limit the reach of the federal government or enhance a libertarian view of the world. The answer, to the Rand Pauls of the world, is simple: nothing…

He’s done.

***

Hear this: extremist ideology is one crucial element of being a bad candidate. There is no good way to phrase the idea that rape victims should be compelled to bear their rapist’s child. Ditto for the idea that those people who can’t find work in the throes of the worst jobs crisis since the 1930s are moochers and takers.

But there is an idea that can be phrased, and it is this:

It’s long past time to create within the Republican party an organized force to fund and support moderate-minded candidates. The Tea Party types do not hesitate to champion their views. Why would it be wrong for moderate Republicans to do likewise? Karl Rove won’t lead that effort. Somebody should. Who?

***

Why are people giving money to Karl Rove when he just wasted $400M without any victories? Use your head.

There’s been a lot of calls for Republicans to change. And we have seen that from everybody to Paul Ryan to Marco Rubio. Now we’re beginning to see the donor class really begin to change. There is some question, are they trying to change just the candidates, so they don’t get Todd Akin, or they trying to actually change some of the substance?

And, so far , it seems to be just the candidates. One of the interesting things — and I can’t say I know the answer to this — is, how much will the Tea Party fight back? There has been some effort that they are saying, oh, the establishment is taking over.

But my own sense of things so far is that there is not the will to fight among the Tea Party and that a lot of people in the Tea Party are, frankly — they’re not — they are also Republicans. And a lot of — say, Rush Limbaugh, for example, who is not Tea Party, he’s more an establishment Republican who wants the Republican Party to win.

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Deep-dyed conservatives have a right to ask the Roves of the world what the establishment GOPers have done to erase the debt, limit the reach of the federal government or enhance a libertarian view of the world. The answer, to the Rand Pauls of the world, is simple: nothing…

The Republican Party evidently has boatloads of these people. Or else it’s the same miserable little POS over and over again.

In any case, fearful and bullying campaigns like Rove’s — however draped in the tapestries of dissimulation and rolling in the dough of fat and scared elitists — intended to suppress and/or abort the deep drives and forces of reform never come to a good end.

“We discourage our people from supporting third-party candidates by saying ‘that’s a big mistake. We shouldn’t do that’,” [Tea Party Express founder Sal Russo] said. “But if the position [Rove’s allies] take is rule or ruin — well, two can play that game. And if we get pushed, we’re not going to be able to keep the lid on that.”

You can’t have this both ways. Either the GOP’s candidates show fidelity with the Tea Party, or members of the Tea Party begin to vote third party.

There is no good way to phrase the idea that rape victims should be compelled to bear their rapist’s child.

But, hey, it’s peachy-keen to say that murdering an innocent child that had nothing to do with the attack is perfectly acceptable and not to be questioned. Got it.

There were certainly more diplomatic ways to phrase what was said in order to make the case for protecting an innocent life. But the statement above is over the top the other way. Imagine if the media were biased the opposite direction, and instead of being the public relations arm of the DNC was conservative. That statement by the Daily Beast author could be used to totally excoriate the heartless idea that destruction of the life of someone who had no say in the incident is a justifiable act when adoption is an available option.

Ditto for the idea that those people who can’t find work in the throes of the worst jobs crisis since the 1930s are moochers and takers.

Ummm, if I remember correctly, this was the gist of the statement coming from the establishment presidential candidate. Hardly a model right-wing conservative.

Bmore kept you from breaking Koolaid’s record. He did it on purpose, too…

Gohawgs on February 10, 2013 at 8:13 PM

Not true, I saw the thread come up at the same time KCB made his very first post. When he requested my presence I simply accommodated him. KCB is a friend. I would be fine with any record set by anyone here. Well almost anyone. ; )

Yeah. Only Dems and losers blame things like state parties and the media when their candidates suck – oops.

KingGold on February 10, 2013 at 8:22 PM

Rove is trying to make the case that we need to back the most conservative candidate that is electable. He has yet to show that he can discern that. For every ODonnell he bitches about, how many candidates did he flush toilets full of money on that didn’t win? He’s a Putz.

All these marriages with no divorce options — they are harshing my mellow. Tired of some of these forced relationships. I miss free association.

Something’s gotta give.

Axe on February 10, 2013 at 8:23 PM

Personally, I will vote. That’s all the support any Republican candidate will ever get from me again, and only if I believe that they deserve it. Not a single dime to any Republican campaign organization at any level unless and until they get their act together.

But my own sense of things so far is that there is not the will to fight among the Tea Party and that a lot of people in the Tea Party are, frankly — they’re not — they are also Republicans. And a lot of — say, Rush Limbaugh, for example, who is not Tea Party, he’s more an establishment Republican who wants the Republican Party to win.

So I have a feeling that the establishment is going to have maybe an easier time of it than some might think.

So sayeth the “wise” man, who believed he could tell the quality of a future leader by the crease in his trousers.

Personally, I will vote. That’s all the support any Republican candidate will ever get from me again, and only if I believe that they deserve it. Not a single dime to any Republican campaign organization at any level unless and until they get their act together.

gryphon202 on February 10, 2013 at 8:29 PM

I’m kinda with you there too. I’ve been tightening the focus of my donations for a while now. Much less into the team war-chest, much more into the individual players’. Not just politics, either; all my giving and support.

I’m kinda with you there too. I’ve been tightening the focus of my donations for a while now. Much less into the team war-chest, much more into the individual players’. Not just politics, either; all my giving and support.

Axe on February 10, 2013 at 8:33 PM

I have no problem with donating to conservative think tanks, as long as I’m convinced that they share my values and principles. Landmark Legal and Heritage are two that I’ve donated to on occasion when they engaged causes I believe in.

I have no problem with donating to conservative think tanks, as long as I’m convinced that they share my values and principles. Landmark Legal and Heritage are two that I’ve donated to on occasion when they engaged causes I believe in.

Today we must all be aware that protocol takes precedence over procedure. However you say – WHAT THE – what does this mean… in relation to the tabulation whereby we must once again realize that the great political fiction story is now being rehearsed before our very eyes, in the domination of Karl Rove… indicating that only a former Bush operative can receive..the award for political fiction, unlike others whose political fiction doesn’t hold water. Comrades – friends, we are gathered here not only to accept on behalf of one man who without a single principle in his body – has found that the world in itself seems to be in a time of the toad. This in itself is an edifice of the great glory that has gone beyond, and the intuitive feeling of the American people, based on the assumption that the intelligence not only as Mencken once said, “He who underestimates the American pubic will not go broke.” This is merely a small indication of this vast throng gathered here to once again behold and to perceive that which has gone behind and to that which might go forward into the future…we’ve got to hurdle these obstacles. This is the main deterrent upon which we have gathered our strength and all the others who say, “What the hell did that get?” – We don’t know. We’ve got to perforce support Karl Rove in his political leadership… And as Miller once said in one of his great novels- what did he … that language is only necessary when communication is endangered. And you sit there bewildered, and Pinter who went further said “It is not the lack of communication but fear of communication.” That’s what the damn thing is it’s we fear – communication – especially political communication. Oh – fortunately the prize has only been given to consultants – unlike the Academy Award which is given to a female and a male, indicating the derision of the human species – Damn it! But we have no paranoia, and Mr. Rove has attained, and has created for himself serenity, and it is only the insanity that has kept him alive in his paranoia. We speak of the organ…of the orgasm…Who the hell wrote this? And the jury has determined to give the prize to Karl Rove for his THE DEVOLUTION AND COMING EXTINCTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. Now THE DEVOLUTION AND COMING EXTINCTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. is a token of this man’s great genius…he told me so himself…that he could…in other words, have been more specific, but rather than to allude to the mundane, he has come to the conclusion that brevity of life of the Republican party is the importance of our shallow existence. God damn! Ladies and Gentlemen. To the distinguished panel on the, on the dais and to the other winners, for poetry and religion and science. The time will come when America will outlive its usefulness. Marx, either Groucho or Karl, I can’t remember which, once said that America is the opiate of the people. I say that when America outlives its usefulness, then opium…will be the opiate…Ahh that’s not a bad idea… we are going to need that and a a lot more … All right…However, I want to thank Mr. Pundit , Mr Allah Pundit of the HotGas Press, who has made it possible for you people to be here this evening to enjoy the Political Friction Citation – the Political Fiction Citation. THE DEVOLUTION AND COMING EXTINCTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY – a small contribution to a certain degree, since there are over seven billion people in the world today. 315 … million live in the United States which is a very, very small amount compared to those who will be dying elsewhere…Well, I say that you will be on the road to new horizons, for we who live in a society where sex is a commodity and a politician can become a TV personality and a quack can become a highly paid consultant, it’s not easy to conform if you have any morality…I, I, I said that myself many years ago…But I do want to thank the bureau…I mean the RNC committee, the organization for the $1,000 they’ve given out for campaign adsl…tonight they made over $4,000,000 in contributions and I think that I have another appointment. I would like to stay here, but for the sake of brevity I, I must leave. I do want to thank you, I want to thank Mr. Allah Pundit. I want to thank Mr. Morrisey, who just ran through the auditorium and out a fire exit into the street, and most of all I want to thank Karl Rove – acting President of the Republican party – and also I want to thank Professor Irwin Corey and thank you.

“There is always a time – when tyrants are using their power and money to oppress the rights and the voices of the men and women on who’s backs they ride and from whom they pilfer their fees, for the people upon who’s backs they ride to respond appropriately with horrific violence against these tyrants. The effects of such necessary violence are to set history back on the path of righteousness and redemption .”

As luck would have it the GOPe doesn’t need my help. They have managed pretty darn good all on their own. Just look at the Mass race for Senate to see witness of this.

Bmore on February 10, 2013 at 8:55 PM

… or the 2012 presidential race. They got the candidate the public relations department of the DNC told them was the most electable and look at how successful that was. Same in 2008. They are on a winning streak baby! … oh, wait